Too bad the rest of the world can't vote for U.S. president..
-
Calling Germany a Nanny state right now is 100% proof that you don't know what's going on here ;P
we are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is Vonnegut jr.
sighist Fold With Us! || Agile Programming | doxygenpeterchen wrote: Calling Germany a Nanny state right now is 100% proof that you don't know what's going on here Apparently that is a matter of perspective. I didn't get my opinion soley from my visits or the news. The owner & CEO of the company I work for is a 65 year old German and a man I respect and trust immensely. He is a life long German resident. During my last trip to Germany I spent an afternoon with him and his wife at their home. At one point the conversation turned to Germany and it's current political climate and it's place in the EU. Both he and his wife described Germany as a "nanny state" and said it only appears to be getting worse. Sorry Peter, but I'm going to have to believe the man I've known and respected for almost 20 years versus the writings on a message board. :rose: "Reality is what refuses to go away when I stop believing in it." Philip K. Dick
-
Stan Shannon wrote: Your country is on the verge of becoming an economic basket case. Take the plank out of your own eye first - if oil trading starts to be done in Euros (or just plain old Gold) to any significant amount, your own economy has a middling to good chance of collapsing:
The deficit structure of the US economy relies heavily on the dollar's hegemonic reserve status as a means of securing US debts and deficits. Without this status, the dollar and the US economy might experience what many Latin American countries experienced during the 1980s. As long as the US dollar was not threatened, the US economy was in no danger of collapse. The individual European currencies offered no threat to the dollar's hegemonic position. In the opinion of some economists the euro may pose a threat to US dollar hegemony, and could under certain circumstances result in a US economic collapse.From Wikipedias article on the Euro[^] Basket-case economy? At least Canada's alleged problems can probably be fixed or mitigated through careful reform - after all, welfare can be dismantled.
The only threat to the US economy is from our own left wing elements who want us to mimic Europe's economic policies. The world's wealth will always flow towards those nations most commited to the principles of free market capitalism. In any case, Europe is simply not stable enough to bear the burdon of economic hegemony and in less than a decade of assuming that role would again become the same squabbling, infantile nations that precipitated the chaos of the 20th century. The inevitable collapse of oil will, in many ways, spell doom for the current international economy, including that of the US, but we Americans are better poised than any other people to survive that situation. Frankly, I will actually be quite pleased when it does finally happen. "Benedict Arnold was a war hero too."
-
Come on Stan, say what you think. Mike "liberals are being driven crazy by the fact that Bush is so popular with Americans, and thus by the realization that anyone to the left of center is utterly marginal." JAMES TRAUB NY Times "I don't want a president who is friends with France or Germany" Me "I plan to vote for Kerry before I vote against him." Me "There you go agin." RR
Uppity Canadians bring out the worst in me... "Benedict Arnold was a war hero too."
-
The only threat to the US economy is from our own left wing elements who want us to mimic Europe's economic policies. The world's wealth will always flow towards those nations most commited to the principles of free market capitalism. In any case, Europe is simply not stable enough to bear the burdon of economic hegemony and in less than a decade of assuming that role would again become the same squabbling, infantile nations that precipitated the chaos of the 20th century. The inevitable collapse of oil will, in many ways, spell doom for the current international economy, including that of the US, but we Americans are better poised than any other people to survive that situation. Frankly, I will actually be quite pleased when it does finally happen. "Benedict Arnold was a war hero too."
Stan Shannon wrote: The only threat to the US economy is from our own left wing elements who want us to mimic Europe's economic policies. The world's wealth will always flow towards those nations most commited to the principles of free market capitalism. I am old enough (as are you) to remember the days when there was much hand-wringing over the inability of the US to compete with Japan, especially in the area of car manufacturing and consumer electronics. The US has done very well out of the computer/information revolution and is now riding high, but I think its economic advantages are less permanent and less robust than you claim. John Carson "I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute--where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishoners for whom to vote ... and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him. - John F. Kennedy
-
ColinDavies wrote: After all we are just a rebel puppet nation.(NZ) Errr..I take it you have no paternal pride for the little Kiwis ? :) "One of the Georges," said Psmith, "I forget which, once said that a certain number of hours' sleep a day--I cannot recall for the moment how many--made a man something, which for the time being has slipped my memory."
Ramanan Sivan wrote: Errr..I take it you have no paternal pride for the little Kiwis ? None at all. :-) Regardz Colin J Davies Attention: It's finally arrived, The worlds first DSP.
-
John Cardinal wrote: Surely you are not so suggesting there is no difference between Canada, Mexico and "quite a bit of western Europe"? Where did I say that? I just prefer the US not use any of these places as a model. John Cardinal wrote: You sir appear to be profoundly ignorant about matters outside your borders and precariously close to a living stereotype. :laugh: Why? Because I don't agree with you? John Cardinal wrote: If those are truly your views and you're not just pulling my leg... WTF are you talking about? Do you think people should NOT pull themselves up but wait for others to do so? Do you believe people should NOT work hard. Do you suggest people are better served doing the WRONG thing? Do you think people are better off making excuses for their failures rather than rectifying them? Do you propose that people be meek and make others responsible? See how stupid it sounds to say otherwise? John Cardinal wrote: I'll happily give it the attention it will surely deserve which is to say - none. Don't bother. :| [EDIT] Score: 1.8 (4 votes). You people who vote without comment are pathetic. What EXACTLY do you dislike about this post? Maybe it's time to follow Chris Losinger's lead. It's just not worth the aggravation around here. [/EDIT] "Reality is what refuses to go away when I stop believing in it." Philip K. Dick
Mike Mullikin wrote: You people who vote without comment are pathetic I agree. Mike Mullikin wrote: What EXACTLY do you dislike about this post? I didn't vote, but I thought your post was the usual self serving, ignorant of the world beyond your borders drivel. And it continued in this post: Mike Mullikin wrote: WTF are you talking about? Do you think people should NOT pull themselves up but wait for others to do so? Do you believe people should NOT work hard. Do you suggest people are better served doing the WRONG thing? Do you think people are better off making excuses for their failures rather than rectifying them? Do you propose that people be meek and make others responsible? The point is your assumption that people outside the US fail to do these things, not that they are a bad thing to do. And from what I can tell, you've got as many deadbeats as any country, and as many achievers. Christian I have drunk the cool-aid and found it wan and bitter. - Chris Maunder
-
Mike Mullikin wrote: You people who vote without comment are pathetic I agree. Mike Mullikin wrote: What EXACTLY do you dislike about this post? I didn't vote, but I thought your post was the usual self serving, ignorant of the world beyond your borders drivel. And it continued in this post: Mike Mullikin wrote: WTF are you talking about? Do you think people should NOT pull themselves up but wait for others to do so? Do you believe people should NOT work hard. Do you suggest people are better served doing the WRONG thing? Do you think people are better off making excuses for their failures rather than rectifying them? Do you propose that people be meek and make others responsible? The point is your assumption that people outside the US fail to do these things, not that they are a bad thing to do. And from what I can tell, you've got as many deadbeats as any country, and as many achievers. Christian I have drunk the cool-aid and found it wan and bitter. - Chris Maunder
Christian Graus wrote: your post was the usual self serving, ignorant of the world beyond your borders drivel. Christian Graus wrote: from what I can tell, you've got as many deadbeats as any country, and as many achievers. Christian Graus wrote: your assumption that people outside the US fail to do these things All this after I wrote: "It's time EACH and EVERY person in EVERY country..." Where did I single out any country, countries or exempt the US? I wish you folks would read what I write and not make assumptions. "Reality is what refuses to go away when I stop believing in it." Philip K. Dick
-
Christian Graus wrote: your post was the usual self serving, ignorant of the world beyond your borders drivel. Christian Graus wrote: from what I can tell, you've got as many deadbeats as any country, and as many achievers. Christian Graus wrote: your assumption that people outside the US fail to do these things All this after I wrote: "It's time EACH and EVERY person in EVERY country..." Where did I single out any country, countries or exempt the US? I wish you folks would read what I write and not make assumptions. "Reality is what refuses to go away when I stop believing in it." Philip K. Dick
Mike Mullikin wrote: Where did I single out any country, countries or exempt the US? Was the reference to the "nanny state" meant to apply to the US too? John Carson "I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute--where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishoners for whom to vote ... and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him. - John F. Kennedy
-
(1) While immigration (and worse, transit) has become weirder and worse, travelling there hasn't changed much in the last 10 years. So I can't say that "visitors are not welcome", it's just their nanny government that makes it look this way :cool: (2) How's voter turnout over there (Can, and US)? We recently had local election (think "state" if you are US American), and 59% was a pleasant surprise (the results not, though)
we are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is Vonnegut jr.
sighist Fold With Us! || Agile Programming | doxygenpeterchen wrote: How's voter turnout over there (Can, and US)? We recently had local election (think "state" if you are US American), and 59% was a pleasant surprise (the results not, though) I happened to look this up, so I might as well mention it: Presidential Elections: United States 49.3% (2000) Global Weighted Average 56.28% NationMaster: Presidential elections - Turnout [^] ( A lot of countries, including Canada, were not included in this statistic. I'm not sure why not - unless they consider "Prime Minister" different enough from "President" that they didn't include it in this category. Some countries have compulsory voting, so these weren't included either - Nations with compulsory voting[^] ) Parlimentary Elections: Canada 54.6% (2000) United States 46.6% (2000) Global Weighted Average 65.17% NationMaster: Parliamentary elections - Turnout[^] Definition of "Voter Turnout": The number of votes divided by the Voting Age Population figure, expressed as a percentage. ----------------------------------------------------- Empires Of Steel[^]
-
John Cardinal wrote: Also I now have absolutely no desire to set foot over the border to visit the U.S. any more, it's just getting way too weird down there. We used to go about once every couple of years to a trip somewhere in the U.S. It seems now that visitors are definitely *not* welcome. I am very relieved to here this.:)
Bill S wrote: I am very relieved to here this I'm sure you are big guy! Meanwhile, all the folks who are actually old enough to vote, can't wait until the 2nd, when we can kick Wingnut and his pals out of office. Ahh, if only Bill S hadn't grown that brain tumor in his youth, he may have turned out to be intelligent. On second though, probably not! You are a 12 year old troll, and anybody can see it. Go away. Or better yet, go wrap your mouth around W's little 'sos. I still haven't found what I'm lookin' for - U2
-
I saw a post in this message board a few weeks ago from someone who stated that they were pretty ambivalent about who to vote for and could not really see any difference between voting one way or another. I was stunned when I saw that, after what has gone on down there over the last few years to say there is no difference in voting one way or the other is a major lack of knowledge or reasoning. I would have thought everyone would be polarized one way or the other, the rest of us outside the U.S. sure are! I've also noticed that voter turnout is incredibly weak and getting weaker in the U.S.; generally much weaker than in most other democracies. I can understand that; when things are going well you just don't care as much, as long as your standard of living is high and improving you don't care really who gets elected. A *lot* of people outside the U.S. are heavily affected by the policies of the U.S. government. It's hit me personally in that the declining U.S. economy is playing havoc with exchange rates and has cost our small business losses of several thousand dollars in the last 9 months alone forcing us to raise the prices of our goods. Also I now have absolutely no desire to set foot over the border to visit the U.S. any more, it's just getting way too weird down there. We used to go about once every couple of years to a trip somewhere in the U.S. It seems now that visitors are definitely *not* welcome. For me personally it's minor issues though really, it's only money, and I can happily go fishing here at home or go to Australia or something instead of Hawaii, a lot of people around the world are affected a lot more than I am in much more profound ways by decisions coming out of Washington. Don't let the rest of us down, get involved and knowledgeable in what your country is doing on your behalf, think about it for longer than you think about deciding what clothes to buy and vote. One way or the other, I don't care, just don't you dare not vote, you have a responsibility to yourselves, your children and the rest of us who don't have a say in the matter. Those that fail to vote should be exiled to countries where no one can vote.
Above and beyond what everyone else is saying, I don't recall any Americans asking for the opinion of any foreigners. Do you honestly think your opinion would have any affect at all on us? If so, I have some swamp land in Florida I'd like to sell you. Get your head outa your ass and mind your own business. ------- sig starts "I've heard some drivers saying, 'We're going too fast here...'. If you're not here to race, go the hell home - don't come here and grumble about going too fast. Why don't you tie a kerosene rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001
-
John Cardinal wrote: Too bad the rest of the world can't vote for U.S. president.. :wtf: I've been to Canada, Mexico, and quite a bit of western Europe and if that is what you'd like the US to become, I for one am glad you can't vote. John Cardinal wrote: ...what has gone on down there over the last few years... What specifically are you refering to? :confused: John Cardinal wrote: I would have thought everyone would be polarized one way or the other, the rest of us outside the U.S. sure are! The hardcore right and left have always been polarized. Nothing new in that regard. As for the folks outside the US, they've pretty much always prefered our liberal presidents anyway so nothing new there either. John Cardinal wrote: A *lot* of people outside the U.S. are heavily affected by the policies of the U.S. government. Not as much as they think. It's just easier for them to use the US as a scapegoat instead of blaming their own nanny states. It's time EACH and EVERY person in EVERY country pulls themselves up, work hard, does the right thing and stop making excuses. Stand up, be counted and except responsibility for yourselves! :mad: "Reality is what refuses to go away when I stop believing in it." Philip K. Dick
Mike Mullikin wrote: It's just easier for them to use the US as a scapegoat instead of blaming their own nanny states. It's time EACH and EVERY person in EVERY country pulls themselves up, work hard, does the right thing and stop making excuses. Stand up, be counted and except responsibility for yourselves! There's a part of truth there (except the same old tirade against "nanny states" :zzz: that reminds me Vichy's propaganda). It's always easier to criticize rather than building an alternative. I can't urge more my fellow Europeans to build an independent Europe, with its own foreign policy. That means also having a European Integrated Army, which could be part of NATO but which cannot be NATO. If we want our voice to be heard in the World, we have to give us the means to do so, and not ask systematically to the US to do the job when it goes wrong for us (Kosovo and Bosnia come to mind), and criticize it when we disagree. Europeans, Unite!
Fold With Us! "I hated going to weddings. All the grandmas would poke me saying "You're next". They stopped that when I started doing it to them at funerals."
-
I saw a post in this message board a few weeks ago from someone who stated that they were pretty ambivalent about who to vote for and could not really see any difference between voting one way or another. I was stunned when I saw that, after what has gone on down there over the last few years to say there is no difference in voting one way or the other is a major lack of knowledge or reasoning. I would have thought everyone would be polarized one way or the other, the rest of us outside the U.S. sure are! I've also noticed that voter turnout is incredibly weak and getting weaker in the U.S.; generally much weaker than in most other democracies. I can understand that; when things are going well you just don't care as much, as long as your standard of living is high and improving you don't care really who gets elected. A *lot* of people outside the U.S. are heavily affected by the policies of the U.S. government. It's hit me personally in that the declining U.S. economy is playing havoc with exchange rates and has cost our small business losses of several thousand dollars in the last 9 months alone forcing us to raise the prices of our goods. Also I now have absolutely no desire to set foot over the border to visit the U.S. any more, it's just getting way too weird down there. We used to go about once every couple of years to a trip somewhere in the U.S. It seems now that visitors are definitely *not* welcome. For me personally it's minor issues though really, it's only money, and I can happily go fishing here at home or go to Australia or something instead of Hawaii, a lot of people around the world are affected a lot more than I am in much more profound ways by decisions coming out of Washington. Don't let the rest of us down, get involved and knowledgeable in what your country is doing on your behalf, think about it for longer than you think about deciding what clothes to buy and vote. One way or the other, I don't care, just don't you dare not vote, you have a responsibility to yourselves, your children and the rest of us who don't have a say in the matter. Those that fail to vote should be exiled to countries where no one can vote.
If you don't like the dollar in the international trade then vote for the goverment that'll abandon it in your own country. Of course it'll take a lot of countries to do it and you'll actually need an alternative (EUR :-D ?). You don't need to vote for US president to do this - it's done by your own goverment. If you're afraid of the recession in the United States ask yourself why is it influencing you at all? Your goverment and economy must be doing something to cause this. You don't have to be dependend on United States. But then again, you need an alternative. I think at the end it comes to alternatives and they're just not there. Thus the situation in which some people would, rather vote for American president then then try to influence or change policies of their own countries. Tomaz
-
Mike Mullikin wrote: Where did I single out any country, countries or exempt the US? Was the reference to the "nanny state" meant to apply to the US too? John Carson "I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute--where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishoners for whom to vote ... and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him. - John F. Kennedy
-
If you don't like the dollar in the international trade then vote for the goverment that'll abandon it in your own country. Of course it'll take a lot of countries to do it and you'll actually need an alternative (EUR :-D ?). You don't need to vote for US president to do this - it's done by your own goverment. If you're afraid of the recession in the United States ask yourself why is it influencing you at all? Your goverment and economy must be doing something to cause this. You don't have to be dependend on United States. But then again, you need an alternative. I think at the end it comes to alternatives and they're just not there. Thus the situation in which some people would, rather vote for American president then then try to influence or change policies of their own countries. Tomaz
Tomaž Štih wrote: If you don't like the dollar in the international trade then vote for the goverment that'll abandon it in your own country. Of course it'll take a lot of countries to do it and you'll actually need an alternative (EUR :-D ?). Well, the Euro is probably a good alternative in the long term (that OPEC even considered pricing oil in Euros indicates it's got something going for it), and it's not like Gold is going to disappear any time soon. Well spoken post, anyway.
-
John Cardinal wrote: Surely you are not so suggesting there is no difference between Canada, Mexico and "quite a bit of western Europe"? Where did I say that? I just prefer the US not use any of these places as a model. John Cardinal wrote: You sir appear to be profoundly ignorant about matters outside your borders and precariously close to a living stereotype. :laugh: Why? Because I don't agree with you? John Cardinal wrote: If those are truly your views and you're not just pulling my leg... WTF are you talking about? Do you think people should NOT pull themselves up but wait for others to do so? Do you believe people should NOT work hard. Do you suggest people are better served doing the WRONG thing? Do you think people are better off making excuses for their failures rather than rectifying them? Do you propose that people be meek and make others responsible? See how stupid it sounds to say otherwise? John Cardinal wrote: I'll happily give it the attention it will surely deserve which is to say - none. Don't bother. :| [EDIT] Score: 1.8 (4 votes). You people who vote without comment are pathetic. What EXACTLY do you dislike about this post? Maybe it's time to follow Chris Losinger's lead. It's just not worth the aggravation around here. [/EDIT] "Reality is what refuses to go away when I stop believing in it." Philip K. Dick
Mike Mullikin wrote: [EDIT] Score: 1.8 (4 votes). You people who vote without comment are pathetic. What EXACTLY do you dislike about this post? Maybe it's time to follow Chris Losinger's lead. It's just not worth the aggravation around here. [/EDIT] I suspect it's a plot from conservatives, voting conservatives down to make believe liberals are intolerant :-D CoNsPIrAcIES everYWhEre!
Fold With Us! "I hated going to weddings. All the grandmas would poke me saying "You're next". They stopped that when I started doing it to them at funerals."
-
The only threat to the US economy is from our own left wing elements who want us to mimic Europe's economic policies. The world's wealth will always flow towards those nations most commited to the principles of free market capitalism. In any case, Europe is simply not stable enough to bear the burdon of economic hegemony and in less than a decade of assuming that role would again become the same squabbling, infantile nations that precipitated the chaos of the 20th century. The inevitable collapse of oil will, in many ways, spell doom for the current international economy, including that of the US, but we Americans are better poised than any other people to survive that situation. Frankly, I will actually be quite pleased when it does finally happen. "Benedict Arnold was a war hero too."
Stan Shannon wrote: The inevitable collapse of oil will, in many ways, spell doom for the current international economy, including that of the US, but we Americans are better poised than any other people to survive that situation. How, why? Every time the oil prices are raised, the US citizens cries "DOOM!", even though US prices are ridiculous low compared to any European country. "After all it's just text at the end of the day. - Colin Davies "For example, when a VB programmer comes to my house, they may say 'does your pool need cleaning, sir ?' " - Christian Graus
